England is implementing a significant overhaul of its school dinner standards, banning deep-fried foods and introducing stricter rules for meals, the government announced. The changes, described as "once-in-a-generation" by Education Secretary Lucy Powell, are set to take effect in 2027 and aim to improve the nutritional content of school lunches.
Under the new framework, the emphasis will be on increasing the intake of fiber and whole grains for students. Sweet desserts, such as cake, will be limited to twice a week in secondary schools and once a week in primary schools, and must be served with a portion of fruit. Additionally, servings of processed meats like ham, sausages, and chicken nuggets will be reduced to once a week and require a side of vegetables or fruit.
Breakfast clubs will also be subject to nutrition rules for the first time, and schools will face monitoring to ensure compliance. The government stated that the changes will be funded through existing school budgets.
The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) has welcomed the updated standards, expressing hope that the new rules will not create additional burdens for head teachers.